Latest news with #Underbelly
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Book Festival programme – some tasty teasers announced on the Front List
The full programme for the Edinburgh International Book Festival programme will be announced on 10 June, but as a taster the Front List includes 14 events including two for schools with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Laura Bates. The list includes names such as Maggie O'Farrell, Ian McEwan, R.F Kuang, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Asako Yuzuki and Nicola Sturgeon. Alexei Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya will also come to Edinburgh this yea. Yulia, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, speaks about her late husband's courageous work, Patriot, and continuing his crucial activism. These events will take place at McEwan Hall near to the Edinburgh Futures Institute and is an expanded version of last year's events, all run in collaboration with Underbelly. Maggie O'Farrell will celebrate 25 years since her first book was published and Ian McEwan will share with audiences his thoughts of past work and what comes next. Movie fans won't want to miss the UK's favourite film critic, Mark Kermode, who brings us the first edition of his energetic MK3D show (a frequent sell-out of the British Film Institute's programme) outside London, previewing upcoming releases and revelling in the Golden Age of Cinema alongside very special guests including Succession patriarch, Brian Cox. No one knows better the pleasure (and, unfortunately, immense pain) of being a dedicated fan of Scotland's national football team than sporting legend Ally McCoist, who visits the festival to discuss Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. And Gavin and Stacey co-creator and writer Ruth Jones lets us into the secrets of her writing craft, and her tender new novel, By Your Side. Jenny Niven, Director and CEO, Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: 'We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful McEwan Hall, and expanding our partnership with Underbelly to present 14 The Front List events in 2025. At this challenging moment in history and politics, we'll be offering a comprehensively informed and critical eye on international affairs, and also the chance to escape them through the work of some of the world's foremost fiction writers, entertainment, and sporting figures. There's plenty more to come in our full programme announcement, but we hope our line-up for The Front List offers a delicious taster of what you can expect from this year's Book Festival.' Marina Dixon, Head of Programming, Underbelly, said: 'Underbelly's partnership with the Book Festival continues to bring some of the most vital, thought-provoking voices of our time to the heart of the city and the festival season and so we're absolutely delighted to welcome back The Front List. At Underbelly, we're passionate about creating space for bold ideas and unexpected conversations—and The Front List does exactly that. It's a real joy to be working together again on a programme that feels urgent, alive, and connected to the spirit of the Festival.' Tickets for The Front List events are available at To ensure these events remain accessible in times of great economic pressure, under-30s can purchase tickets at just £14 and £5 tickets are available to those in receipt of governmental income benefits. Full listings for The Front List events: Tues 12 Aug, 13.30 – Ruth Jones Wed 13 Aug, 13.30 – Mark Kermode Thu 14 Aug, 13.30 – Nicola Sturgeon Fri 15 Aug, 13.30 – Maggie O'Farrell [Sponsored by the National Library of Scotland]Sat 16 Aug, 13.30 – Ta-Nehisi Coates [Sponsored by the University of Edinburgh]Sun 17 Aug, 13.30 – Anne Applebaum & Edward Wong [Supported by the Turtleton Charitable Trust]Mon 18 Aug, 13.30 – Ally McCoist [Sponsored by Digby Brown]Tues 19 Aug, 13.30 – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Wed 20 Aug, 13.30 – Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Steven Lenton [Schools Edition] Thu 21 Aug, 13.30 – Laura Bates [Schools Edition]Fri 22 Aug, 13.30 – Yulia Navalnya Sat 23 Aug, 13.30 – Asako Yuzuki Sun 24 Aug, 13.30 – Ian McEwan Sun 24 Aug, 19.30 – R F Kuang All events take place at McEwan Hall, Teviot Place, EH8 9AG. McEwan Hall audience – credit Mihaela Bodlovic Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Festival reveals plans for Nicola Sturgeon memoir launch
Organisers have lifted the lid on the first headline events to be confirmed in the 2025 programme. Read more: Others confirmed to appear in the festival's biggest venue, the McEwan Hall, including authors Maggie O'Farrell, Ian McEwan, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, R F Kuang and Asako Yuzuki. Audiences at the festival will be among the first to get their hands on Ms Sturgeon's book, Frankly, which its publisher says will be 'remarkable for its honest and self-reflection.' Due for release on August 14, the day she is appearing at the book festival, Frankly is billed as 'a deeply personal memoir' which will reveal 'the person behind the politician.' Brian Cox will be among the special guests at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year. (Image: Oxford Union) Revealing the title and cover for the book in March, Ms Sturgeon said: 'I have poured my heart into this book. It tells the story of my personal journey, it recounts the extraordinary events that I have been privileged to live and to lead through. 'It takes you behind the scenes of the incredible experiences I've had along the way, and my interactions with some colourful characters. 'The title sums up what the book is – open, honest, candid – about my mistakes and my heartbreaks as well as my triumphs and achievements.' Other special guests confirmed for the festival's McEwan Hall line-up, The Front List, include the American journalists Anne Applebaum, Edward Wong and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey with James Corden, will be discussing her new novel, while Ally McCoist will be discussing his own recent memoir, Dear Scotland: On the Road with the Tartan Army. Brian Cox will be among Mark Kermode's special guests in his event. The Front List events were launched at the McEwan Hall last summer as part of a new partnership between the book festival and Fringe promoters Underbelly, who also use the venue. The strand has been expanded from nine to 14 events for this year's edition. Festival director Jenny Niven said: 'At this challenging moment in history and politics, we'll be offering a comprehensively informed and critical eye on international affairs, and also the chance to escape them through the work of some of the world's foremost fiction writers, entertainment, and sporting figures. There's plenty more to come in our full programme announcement, but we hope our line-up for The Front List offers a delicious taster of the many flavours and perspectives you can expect from this year's festival events.' Marina Dixon, head of programming at Underbelly, said: 'Our partnership with the book festival continues to bring some of the most vital, thought-provoking voices of our time to the heart of the city and the festival season and so we're absolutely delighted to welcome back The Front List. 'At Underbelly, we're passionate about creating space for bold ideas and unexpected conversations—and The Front List does exactly that.' Tickets for The Front List events in the book festival go on sale to the public at 10 am on May 6.
The Age
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Game shows are going wild right now. But will Australia back this worldwide hit?
It might be actor and presenter Rodger Corser's first time fronting a prime-time quiz show as host of The Floor, but he has some unexpected trivia experience up his sleeve. 'I used to host pub trivia 20 years ago,' he says. 'I remember 2006 being a bit of a lean year for me, so I was a short order cook at a cafe and doing pub trivia, just before I did Underbelly. Some people take pub trivia so, so seriously. We didn't have smartphones then … but people were cheating and so you had to rap them over the knuckles, just remind people that we're all here for a bit of fun.' His new show is certainly a bit of fun. Since The Floor format launched in 2023 in the Netherlands it has become a worldwide smash, with a reported 22 international versions (Rob Lowe hosts the US one) either currently airing or in the works. The fast-paced format has 81 contestants each starting on a tile on an LED grid as they compete for a top prize of $200,000. Each wannabe winner has their own chosen area of expertise, everything from dogs to the periodic table to quirkier topics like the kitchen drawer. The players compete in duels to knock one another out and gain more ground on the floor, with only one reigning supreme. There's a mix of everyday folk with familiar faces like Married at First Sight' s Jules Robinson and MasterChef 's Amina Elshafei peppered in. 'There is something for everyone because it has great gameplay,' says Corser. 'If you like strategic board games, there's that element. There's just straight trivia and general knowledge for other people. But [there's] also the way that a bunch of eclectic people interact when you throw them in one space. It's a great social experiment, so it's got the best part of a reality TV show as well. We don't go throwing wine glasses on anyone, but emotions are heightened.' Loading The Floor is part of a new generation of game shows sweeping the globe that are bigger, brighter and bolder than series of the past. In the US, Deal or No Deal has spun off into the larger-scale Deal or No Deal Island, which incorporates physical challenges and social gameplay – and yes, is set on an island. No longer content to simply open briefcases in a studio, these kinds of shows are competing in a crowded market and searching for hooks strong enough to grab viewers' attention. Corser likens the brightly lit, oversized spectacle of The Floor to a bustling sporting match. 'It's a really impressive set. You walk in and it's huge. It's as big as a small basketball stadium and there are screens and lights and cameras everywhere and the studio audience. It feels like a sporting arena.'
Sydney Morning Herald
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Game shows are going wild right now. But will Australia back this worldwide hit?
It might be actor and presenter Rodger Corser's first time fronting a prime-time quiz show as host of The Floor, but he has some unexpected trivia experience up his sleeve. 'I used to host pub trivia 20 years ago,' he says. 'I remember 2006 being a bit of a lean year for me, so I was a short order cook at a cafe and doing pub trivia, just before I did Underbelly. Some people take pub trivia so, so seriously. We didn't have smartphones then … but people were cheating and so you had to rap them over the knuckles, just remind people that we're all here for a bit of fun.' His new show is certainly a bit of fun. Since The Floor format launched in 2023 in the Netherlands it has become a worldwide smash, with a reported 22 international versions (Rob Lowe hosts the US one) either currently airing or in the works. The fast-paced format has 81 contestants each starting on a tile on an LED grid as they compete for a top prize of $200,000. Each wannabe winner has their own chosen area of expertise, everything from dogs to the periodic table to quirkier topics like the kitchen drawer. The players compete in duels to knock one another out and gain more ground on the floor, with only one reigning supreme. There's a mix of everyday folk with familiar faces like Married at First Sight' s Jules Robinson and MasterChef 's Amina Elshafei peppered in. 'There is something for everyone because it has great gameplay,' says Corser. 'If you like strategic board games, there's that element. There's just straight trivia and general knowledge for other people. But [there's] also the way that a bunch of eclectic people interact when you throw them in one space. It's a great social experiment, so it's got the best part of a reality TV show as well. We don't go throwing wine glasses on anyone, but emotions are heightened.' Loading The Floor is part of a new generation of game shows sweeping the globe that are bigger, brighter and bolder than series of the past. In the US, Deal or No Deal has spun off into the larger-scale Deal or No Deal Island, which incorporates physical challenges and social gameplay – and yes, is set on an island. No longer content to simply open briefcases in a studio, these kinds of shows are competing in a crowded market and searching for hooks strong enough to grab viewers' attention. Corser likens the brightly lit, oversized spectacle of The Floor to a bustling sporting match. 'It's a really impressive set. You walk in and it's huge. It's as big as a small basketball stadium and there are screens and lights and cameras everywhere and the studio audience. It feels like a sporting arena.'
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gerard Kennedy dead: Neighbours and The Flying Doctors dies after glittering career
Iconic Australian actor Gerard Kennedy has died aged 93. A family friend confirmed the veteran star died in an emotional social media post. They said in the statement: "Vale Gerard Kennedy. 1932 - 2025. An iconic Australian actor of many decades. Well-remembered by Prisoner fans for his portrayal as terrorist Al in The Wentworth Siege episodes." Gerard's career spanned five decades. was best known for his roles on Underbelly and Division 4. He also featured on shows such as Country Practice, Blue Heelers and Neighbours. He was also a two-time Gold Logie winner. He won the award for Most Popular Personality on Australian TV in successive years in 1971 and 1972. Other awards the trailblazer of Australia TV acquired included three Penguin Awards. On the big screen, Gerard played roles in the likes of 2013 horror movie Wolf Creek 2 , while also taking on the part of Vince Colosimo in Fat Tony and Co. His first role came playing the antagonist Kragg in 1967's Hunter. Such was his popularity, writers converted his character into the good guy following the departure of main character Tony Ward. His portrayal in Division 4 as Detective Frank Banner saw him before one of the most recognisable faces on TV at the time. His final acting appearance came 10 years ago in 2015. At the time, he featured in two episodes of Glitch on Australian TV channel ABC. His the Flying Doctors co-star Liz Burch shared a sad message following the news of his death, simply writing: "Vale Gerard." Former 2DayFM newsreader Geoff Field also shared a tribute to the actor. Taking to Facebook, he wrote: "RIP Gerard Kennedy who's died aged 93. 'He had many roles but I will always remember him as Detective Frank Banner in Division 4." Fans also took to social media to share messages of condolence. On Twitter /X, one user wrote: "R.I.P. Gerard Kennedy (1932-2025). Thanks for the memories. My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to his family and friends." Another added: "Sorry to hear of the passing of Gerard Kennedy, can still hear that dramatic theme of Division 4 and picture Frank Banner looking at his watch. Gee they were great shows back then. #valegerardkennedy" A third said: "Incredible innings at 93, incredible actor. Thanks for the memories Gerard Kennedy. RIP," with a fourth adding: "Loved watching Gerard Kennedy, may he Rest In Peace." Gerard is survived by his daughter Chrisanya.
